This morning, on one of the early Hornsby buses taking people from Brigg into Scunthorpe, there was a courteous chap carrying out a survey of passenger numbers and destinations. I thought I glimpsed the North Lincolnshire Council logo on the foot of the sheet he was filling in, attached to a clipboard.
As you may know, North Lincolnshire Council subsidises some of the early morning and late evening services on this route. No-one will have a problem with scrutiny of how public money is expended. That's only right and proper.
However, if, or when, passenger survey information is considered by the powers-that-be, they should bear in mind the importance of these services to people getting to and from work. And the 'green' merit of public transport, rather than lots of journeys being made in cars containing only one person.
Some of us who use these buses are lucky enough to have cars we can use as an alternative. But the Labour Government - and North Lincolnshire Council is also controlled by the same party - bangs on about the use of public transport as a way of helping the environment. A worthy argument. And surely one in keeping with continued bus subsidies.
Perhaps a dozen folk from Brigg and Broughton were on our bus this morning by the time it reached Ashby, which may not look impressive to the bean-counting brigade. But surely other factors need to be taken into consideration.
Our picture shows one of the Hornsby Service 4 buses leaving Cary Lane, Brigg, in better light than we had at 7am today!
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2 comments:
Nigel - you're making a clear political point. Some services/industries have to be run at a non-profit, or even a loss...but the positive effects to other areas can be quite profound. Remember, a woman with a handbag in the 1980's banned councils subsidising public transport. Before that time one could travel by bus anywhere in Doncaster for 10p....after that time, most people went by car!
Nigel - Not related to article - but have just noticed your interest in public footpaths. 1.Have some old 1890 maps of various areas in North Lincs
2. Have just replied to gssmith comment - Aug - re ill-defined path part near Kettleby Lane - very belated but only just read it.
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